Race Unity Task Force @UnityRace

“We do not walk alone. Great Being walks beside us—know this and be grateful.” ~ Hopi,

“A fiery spirit burst from your soul.” ~ A.D Posey, Muskogee Creek Nation, (1873-1908)

"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves—all things are bound together—all things connect.” ~ Chief Seattle, Squamish-Duamish, 1782-1866,

As Iranian authorities intensify domestic repression, they have sharply escalated the persecution of the #Bahai religious minority community through 🔸arbitrary arrests 🔸violent home raids 🔸enforced disappearances 🔸property seizures Read more ⬇️ tinyurl.com/d5659awp

Iranian authorities secretly executed two Kurdish political prisoners, Ramin Zoleh and Karim Maroufpour, on May 21 in Naqadeh Prison in Iran’s West Azerbaijan province, without notifying their families or lawyers. A former cellmate told the Kurdistan Human Rights Network that the two men were arrested by intelligence forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the summer of 2024 and subjected to months of physical and psychological torture to extract forced “confessions” alleging they had planned to kill an IRGC member in Piranshahr. The two men were sentenced to death by Branch One of the Mahabad Revolutionary Court on charges of “armed rebellion” through alleged membership in a Kurdish opposition party. According to Kurdpa, the verdict was issued following a trial that lasted only a few minutes, during which they were denied access to lawyers of their choosing. Their torture-tainted forced “confessions” were used as evidence against them. 🔸 Security-related charges such as “baghy” (armed rebellion) are frequently used against political prisoners in Iran, particularly Kurdish minority citizens, to impose lengthy prison sentences or the death penalty in cases marked by torture, forced “confessions,” and sham trials. 🔸 At least 34 people, including 14 protesters arrested during the January protests, have been executed on politically motivated charges since March 19. 🔸 Death sentences in Iran are routinely handed down following grossly unfair trials, with defendants frequently denied access to independent legal counsel and convicted solely on the basis of forced “confessions” extracted under torture and coercion. 🔸 Under the cover of war, Iranian authorities are accelerating politically motivated executions at an unprecedented pace, emboldened by near-total impunity and a lack of sustained international outcry. 🔸 World leaders must place the ongoing human rights crisis in Iran, including the alarming wave of executions, at the center of all diplomatic engagement with the Islamic Republic’s authorities. #رامین_زله #کریم_معروف‌پور

Iranian authorities have sentenced attorney Mohammad Tarighat Esfanjani to three years in prison, while another lawyer, Seyed Mohammadreza Razavi Fard, stood trial this week. The Revolutionary Court of Osku County in East Azerbaijan province recently sentenced Tarighat Esfanjani to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and an additional two years of discretionary imprisonment for allegedly “insulting the Supreme Leader." Authorities cited content published on his Instagram page as evidence in the case. Tarighat Esfanjani, an attorney and member of the East Azerbaijan Province Bar Association, was reportedly assaulted last year by individuals wearing military uniforms. His wife was also reportedly threatened during the incident. Separately, on May 26, attorney Seyed Mohammadreza Razavi Fard appeared before Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Qom to defend himself against a charge of “propaganda against the regime.” Razavi Fard is currently out on bail pending further proceedings. In recent months, lawyers in Iran have faced arrests, prosecutions, and judicial harassment. Lawyers Elham Zeraatpisheh and Astareh (Maryam) Ansari were arrested in Shiraz on May 4 and May 3, 2026, respectively. In a separate case, lawyers Amir Raisian and Milad Panahipour are facing judicial proceedings at Tehran’s Security Prosecutor’s Office after publicly raising concerns about their client, death row protester Ehsan Hosseinipour. Prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents at her home on April 1, 2026, and released on bail on May 13.

🚀Just launched! @EduCannotWait Portfolio Overview 2025 Key findings include: 💰$630M in active programmes across 31 crisis-affected countries ⚡Emergency response approvals reduced from 16 weeks in 2024 to 6 weeks in 2025 🌍 More than half of programmes integrate measures that help schools prepare for climate disasters. 👧58% of targeted learners are girls Explore the full portfolio👇 educationcannotwait.org/resource-libra…

Join us for Juneteenth Community Day honoring Ms. Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” ahead of her 100th birthday later this year. Enjoy storytelling, music, food, and hands-on activities celebrating freedom. Free. Registration required: s.si.edu/3Q50Nmj

The NAACP is condemning the U.S. Supreme Court's latest decision allowing Alabama to use a congressional map previously found to be intentionally discriminatory against Black voters, warning that the ruling marks another dangerous step in the dismantling of voting rights in the state and across the country. The Court's action follows its most recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which has triggered racial gerrymandering efforts across the South. Read more: naacp.org/articles/naacp…

Indigenous Peoples particularly vulnerable to Ebola epidemic in #DRCongo and #Uganda, warn UN experts. “Responses must be guided by international standards on rights of Indigenous Peoples, including health, equal protection & cultural identity.” ohchr.org/en/press-relea…

Enhancing the protection of children online is an urgent priority that needs to be done right. Governments and tech companies must make digital platforms safer by design, strengthen data protection, and ensure accountability for those responsible for harm. ➡️ @UNHumanRights has issued a set of guidelines aimed at improving children’s safety online and protecting their rights: ohchr.org/en/press-relea…

#Nicaragua: We deplore the death in custody of Indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera & urge prompt investigations. We call on the authorities to release all those arbitrarily detained & ensure detention facilities fully comply with intl human rights standards. ohchr.org/en/press-brief…

The bond between Howard University and the Caribbean community represents a profound continuum of academic excellence, leadership, and global impact. President Emeritus Wayne A. I. Frederick recently received the prestigious Caribbean Luminary Award from the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies, illuminating a storied lineage of scholar-statesmen that extends back to legendary faculty member and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams. To permanently honor this rich history of intellectual influence, the university is proud to announce the establishment of an endowed chair in Dr. Williams’ name starting in Fall 2026, ensuring that our legacy of shaping global Black thought continues to inspire future generations of leaders. Read full article on The Dig: thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/dr… #HowardUniversity

800 million people still live in extreme poverty. Their plight is made worse by conflicts, the climate crisis, deepening inequalities & heavy debt burdens. We need to shape economies that put people first, and continue our fight to reduce & #EndPoverty.

📣 Join Human Rights Watch and partners for an upcoming webinar to discuss the work to end obstetric violence, one of the most overlooked forms of gender-based violence. 🗓️ Tuesday, June 2 @ 10am ET. Register now: bit.ly/4nYe2lp

✊ Gig workers deserve rights, not loopholes. This week and next, governments, workers, and employers are negotiating the first global treaty on decent work in the platform economy. They should adopt strong standards to protect all platform workers’ rights. #ILC2026 #WorkersRights

"Ceci" is harvesting brussel sprouts in Oxnard CA. "It’s extremely grueling work. When it’s hot I run into snakes and animals that make their way in between plants. This making it difficult to work comfortably. But I earn $18/hour and this provides for my family." #WeFeedYou

"Joel" is picking cherries in the Bakersfield CA area. "We get paid 30 cents per pound. It's a very difficult job. I have to carry a bucket that weighs 30 lbs when full up and down a ladder. But supporting my family is my priority and this job helps pay the bills." #WeFeedYou

Farm workers in Bakersfield CA are ‘tipping’ the grapes so that they are ready for harvest. They cut the tips to redirect the sugar and nutrients to the blossoms allowing for bigger and sweeter fruit clusters. #WeFeedYou

It was 86° at 1pm in Bakersfield CA. A tractor driver runs a water sprayer along the edge of a citrus orchard. This is important work as it keeps the soil and trees properly irrigated. It's hot work as the cab is open and doesn't have AC. #WeFeedYou